Mayawati announces probe into Bundelkhand plantation scam

Lucknow, Sep 21 (UNI) Reacting swiftly over the allegation of the UP Congress on a plantation scam to the tune of over Rs 400 crore in Bundelkhand, Chief Minister Mayawati today announced a probe by the Divisional Commissioner of Lucknow into the charges.

Ms Mayawati said Divisional Commissioner Vijay Shanker Pandey would probe the matter and submit his report at the earliest.

''My government will not spare anyone found guilty in the charges made by the Congress,'' she said.

Earlier in the morning, the state Congress had approached Governor T V Rajeswar and sought his intervention in the plantation scam to the tune of over Rs 400 crore.

UP Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi met Mr Rajeswar at the Raj Bhavan this morning and demanded a high-level probe into the scam at least by a retired judge of a High Court, directing the Union Rural Development Ministry to audit all the financial grants and assistance given to the state.

In a two-page memorandum submitted to the Governor, the Congress said if required the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be asked to probe the scam.

Yesterday, the party had lodged a complaint with the Hazratganj police station in the state capital against the state Chief Secretary and other officers concerned holding them responsible for the scam.

The police officials were said to have recommended the Congress for an inquiry.

UNI MB JAS SW CS1555